Alexander Borodin (1833-1887)

Station

Radio 3

Series

Composer of the Week

Duration

60 Minutes

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Comments

01

20100125

Donald Macleod on Borodin's dual scientific and musical careers, and his First Symphony.

His melodies were as brilliant and beguiling as his scientific discoveries. Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) was one of history's great polymaths - who combined a career as one of Russia's great research chemists with an equally dazzling creative life as one of the 19th century's most enchanting composers. Happily married, loved by his friends and also a noted writer, philanthropist and linguist, Borodin's life was high on talent, short on crisis - and full of extraordinary, bewitching music.

No-one could write a tune like Borodin - and didn't his peers know it. Throughout Borodin's life, Rimsky-Korsakov and others nagged on and on at him for his 'misplaced' devotion to science, criticised his running quite literally from piano to laboratory, urged him to write more than he possibly was able. Never mind that his scientist colleagues were advising him to do precisely the opposite...

By the time of Borodin's early death aged 54 (he expired of a heart attack merrily dancing the night away at a ball), he'd completed a mere few dozen works - yet almost without exception they're some of the most charming works of the Romantic era - brimming with melodic genius and passion for his native Russia. Such was the affection in which Borodin was held, his friends rallied round to reconstruct and complete many of his unfinished compositions after his death, ensuring his genius would live on forever.

This week, Donald Macleod celebrates the life and work of the "Talented Dr Borodin", featuring all three symphonies, "In The Steppes Of Steppes Of Central Asia" and a host of chamber works, including his Second String Quartet (featuring the famous "Nocturne"). Tuesday's episode gives a rare airing to all sixteen of Borodin's solo songs - "a revelation", in the presenter's words - whilst on Thursday we'll hear extended excerpts from the Second Act of Borodin's operatic masterpiece, Prince Igor, including the famous "Polovtsian Dances".

Donald Macleod explores the brilliant, happy life of Alexander Borodin - who combined equally dazzling careers in music and chemistry, as well as being a noted linguist, writer and philanthropist. In the first episode of the series he explores the early conflicts Borodin faced between his twin careers - often having to quite literally run from laboratory to piano - as well as the origins of the composer's First Symphony.

Alexander Borodin was a brilliant composer for the voice - yet his bewitching, tuneful collection of sixteen solo songs is little known. In today's episode Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Borodin's complete songbook, preceded by a performance of perhaps his most famous orchestral showpiece - the evocative "In The Steppes Of Central Asia".

Alexander Borodin was a brilliant composer for the voice - yet his bewitching, tuneful collection of sixteen solo songs is little known.

In today's episode Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Borodin's complete songbook, preceded by a performance of perhaps his most famous orchestral showpiece - the evocative In The Steppes Of Central Asia"."

The "Nocturne" from Borodin's Second String Quartet is one of the most beautiful works ever written. Shame it's been rearranged, covered and generally messed about with by all and sundry. In today's episode Donald Macleod presents a glowing performance of the complete work by the Borodin Quartet, as well as the composer's greatest orchestral masterpiece - his Second Symphony.

For more than a century, the "Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin's great national opera "Prince Igor" have been better known than the opera itself, the composer's greatest work for the stage. Today, Donald Macleod sets about putting that right, as he introduces extended excerpts from Act 2 of the opera, from which the famous orchestral showpiece hails.

For more than a century, the Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin's great national opera "Prince Igor" have been better known than the opera itself, the composer's greatest work for the stage.

Today, Donald Macleod sets about putting that right, as he introduces extended excerpts from Act 2 of the opera, from which the famous orchestral showpiece hails."

04

20100203

05

20100210

05 LAST

*

20100129

As Borodin's scientific career grew ever more distinguished, his compositions became fewer. In today's episode, Donald Macleod introduces his last major works, the Petite Suite" and "Allegro" for piano, as well as exploring his third and final symphony, left unfinished at the composer's death and completed by Alexander Glazunov.

Donald Macleod explores Borodin's last works, including the unfinished Third Symphony."

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Comments

01

20100125

Donald Macleod on Borodin's dual scientific and musical careers, and his First Symphony.

His melodies were as brilliant and beguiling as his scientific discoveries. Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) was one of history's great polymaths - who combined a career as one of Russia's great research chemists with an equally dazzling creative life as one of the 19th century's most enchanting composers. Happily married, loved by his friends and also a noted writer, philanthropist and linguist, Borodin's life was high on talent, short on crisis - and full of extraordinary, bewitching music.

No-one could write a tune like Borodin - and didn't his peers know it. Throughout Borodin's life, Rimsky-Korsakov and others nagged on and on at him for his 'misplaced' devotion to science, criticised his running quite literally from piano to laboratory, urged him to write more than he possibly was able. Never mind that his scientist colleagues were advising him to do precisely the opposite...

By the time of Borodin's early death aged 54 (he expired of a heart attack merrily dancing the night away at a ball), he'd completed a mere few dozen works - yet almost without exception they're some of the most charming works of the Romantic era - brimming with melodic genius and passion for his native Russia. Such was the affection in which Borodin was held, his friends rallied round to reconstruct and complete many of his unfinished compositions after his death, ensuring his genius would live on forever.

This week, Donald Macleod celebrates the life and work of the "Talented Dr Borodin", featuring all three symphonies, "In The Steppes Of Steppes Of Central Asia" and a host of chamber works, including his Second String Quartet (featuring the famous "Nocturne"). Tuesday's episode gives a rare airing to all sixteen of Borodin's solo songs - "a revelation", in the presenter's words - whilst on Thursday we'll hear extended excerpts from the Second Act of Borodin's operatic masterpiece, Prince Igor, including the famous "Polovtsian Dances".

Donald Macleod explores the brilliant, happy life of Alexander Borodin - who combined equally dazzling careers in music and chemistry, as well as being a noted linguist, writer and philanthropist. In the first episode of the series he explores the early conflicts Borodin faced between his twin careers - often having to quite literally run from laboratory to piano - as well as the origins of the composer's First Symphony.

Alexander Borodin was a brilliant composer for the voice - yet his bewitching, tuneful collection of sixteen solo songs is little known. In today's episode Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Borodin's complete songbook, preceded by a performance of perhaps his most famous orchestral showpiece - the evocative "In The Steppes Of Central Asia".

Alexander Borodin was a brilliant composer for the voice - yet his bewitching, tuneful collection of sixteen solo songs is little known.

In today's episode Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Borodin's complete songbook, preceded by a performance of perhaps his most famous orchestral showpiece - the evocative In The Steppes Of Central Asia"."

The "Nocturne" from Borodin's Second String Quartet is one of the most beautiful works ever written. Shame it's been rearranged, covered and generally messed about with by all and sundry. In today's episode Donald Macleod presents a glowing performance of the complete work by the Borodin Quartet, as well as the composer's greatest orchestral masterpiece - his Second Symphony.

For more than a century, the "Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin's great national opera "Prince Igor" have been better known than the opera itself, the composer's greatest work for the stage. Today, Donald Macleod sets about putting that right, as he introduces extended excerpts from Act 2 of the opera, from which the famous orchestral showpiece hails.

For more than a century, the Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin's great national opera "Prince Igor" have been better known than the opera itself, the composer's greatest work for the stage.

Today, Donald Macleod sets about putting that right, as he introduces extended excerpts from Act 2 of the opera, from which the famous orchestral showpiece hails."

04

20100203

05

20100210

05 LAST

*

20100129

As Borodin's scientific career grew ever more distinguished, his compositions became fewer. In today's episode, Donald Macleod introduces his last major works, the Petite Suite" and "Allegro" for piano, as well as exploring his third and final symphony, left unfinished at the composer's death and completed by Alexander Glazunov.

Donald Macleod explores Borodin's last works, including the unfinished Third Symphony."